Needle-protecting attachment for sewing machines



STThlti application tiled November liti, initd. Serial No. MEAN.

in sevvin hoot: and eye tape upon garments to provide the latter with fastening ineans whereby adjoining edges thereol nlay be secured together diiiiculty heretol'ore has been eiu'ountered by reason ot the tact that the needle ot the sewing machine is liable to strike a wird either ot a hook or ol an eye, which may result either in the breaking ot the needle or in the cutting oi the wire therelo ot' renderingl the hook or the eye, as the case niay be, useless.

'lhe principal dittculty encountered has been in connection with the sewing ot the tapes which bear lthe loop eyes upon the edges ot garments, and the principal object,A there tore, ot the present invention is to provide ineans oi novel construction whereby the spaced wires ot' the eye ineinber oi a hooli and eve struc-ture niay be automatically adliusted or Inoved to positions duringr the sewing;I operation out ot alin'einent with the descending point ot' the reciyn'ocating needle ot the sewing inachine.

llt also is an object ot the invention to provide an attachment of novel construction which, when sewing a tabric having Wires located at intervals thereon, is adapted to control the positions ot the said wires with respect to the descending point ot the reciprorating needle ot a sewing lnachine so as to prevent the point ot the said needle troni strikingn said wires.

`titi ftnother object ot the invention is to pro vide an attachment having; a guard linger which7 as the needle descends to penetrate the t'abric7 nieves into a position relative to the penetrating" point ot the needle to l(guard the latter and to prevent the saine troni contactingr with a ivire which may be nlounted on the labric along which a. line ot stitches is beingr torined.

Although il have illustrated the invention as employed in connection With the sewing; ot' a tape having loop eyes of a hook and eye structure inounted thereon it desire it to be understood that the invention is adapt-- ed for einployinent in connection with the torination ot stitches inany tabrio which stitches cross wires fastened thereon at intervals; and although the opposite sides oit the respective eyesillustrated in the draivings are. in substantial parallel relation to each other l desire it to be understood that the invention is not limited in its scope to or tor use in the sewing upon the eye tape ot a hook and eye structure havingeyes ot the ctnistriwtion shown, or in the sewing et such tape to a fabric.

l shall not at this time undertake to point out all ot the various objects and advantages incident to nly invention, but other' objects and advantages thereof will be pointed out in the detailed description thereof which tollows or will he apparent :trom such descrip tion.

ln order that the invention may be readily understood and its practical advantages tally appreciated reference niay be had to the accompanying drawin,r in which l have illustrated one 'torni ot a convenient embodiment thereof. However, it will be understood that the invention is susceptible ot' embodiment in other tol-nis ot construction than that shown and that various changes in the details ot construction may be inade within the scope ot the claims without departing 'troni the said invention or the principle thereof.

lln the draWingV-Fig. Il. is a. view in transverse section ot' a portion of a` sewing niachine provided with an attaclnnent embody ing the invention, the saidattachment beingr shown partly in section and partly in side elevation;

lfipg. 2 is a plan view ot the top plate ot a sewing machine showing the feed den; in plan, a portion ot the attachn'ient also in plan, and a section of eye tape and fabric secured together by rows ot stitches produced by the sewingr niechanisin;

itin. 3 is a vieivshowing a portion of the top plate ot the serving inachine in section and showing1 one end portion ot the guard linger in its highest position and with the needle nioving upwardly;

litigi). et is a vienT showing the rear end por tion ot the guard tinger in elevation and in the act oit starting; upon its downward and rear- Ward nioveinent, With the needle still moving upwardly but just about ready to start upon its descendinpgr movement, and also showing1r engagement with one side or leg of an eye, the

guard finger has reached its lowest and most rearward position; s

Fig. 6 1s a View showing the guard finger 1n the same position as itis shown 1n Fig. 5,

"but showing the needle in.l the act of penetrating the work, and also showing the relation ofthe guard finger to the needle vand to one side of the eye of a hook and eye structure;

Fig. 7 is a view in plan elevation showing a needlein section, the guard inger'being shown'in full lines in the position it occupies in Fig. Band also in` dotted line position in latter in its adjusted position also -being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 8 is a view showing the rear portion of the guard finger in elevation and the wire in cross section and also showing one relationship which may exist between the extreme rear end of the guard finger and the wire when the former is 'approaching the limit of its rearward and downward movement;

F ig. 9'is a similar view but showing a dif-- ferent relationship between the guard finger and the wire with the guard finger in the same position as it is shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a view showing the rear end por-r tion of the guard finger in side elevation' with its rear lower end in contact with a wire at a point beyond a vertical plane through the axis Ithereof and also showing a portion ofthe needle in elevation and also showing the tape. in section; and. y

F ig. 11 is a view similar to that shown in .'Fig. 10 except that the guard finger has moved into final position displacing the wire toward the front of the machine out'of alinement with theaxis of the needle which has descended so that it is about to enter the work.

The views showing the several figures of the drawings 3 to 11 inclusive are intendedy to illpstrate the operation of the device and. its cooperation with the needle and with wires whichmay be carried uponfa tape or other fabric for adjusting the said wires out of alinement with the point of the needle as the latter descends to enter the work.`

For the purposeof illustrating the operation of the invention I have shown .a section of tape 1 having loop eyes 1a mounted thereon at intervals. The opposite sides of these eyes are arranged in parallel relation to each other as shown.

In thev drawings I havel shown but a portion of a sewing machine including a top plate 2, the main driving shaft 3, a presser foot 4, a presser foot supporting bar 5 and a four-motion feed dog 6. I also have 'shown the sewing machine needles 10 mounted upon 'a reciprocating bar 11, reciprocation of which may be effected in any known manner. The several parts of the machine referred to are of well known construction ando'peration and will not, therefore, be described more in detail.

For the purpose of guiding the tape 1 to the needles I have provided the adjustable spaced guides 12 and 13 which are mounted upon the top plate of the machine. These guides are of usual construction'and ltheir operation and function are well understood in the art. In the attachment of a tape to the edge of a fabric the latter is conducted to the sewing mechanism through a folder which is of any known construction and for drawing.

to the fabric by double lines or rows of stitches as shown at 14. One of these lines or rows of stitches crosses the loop eyes at points intermediate the ends of 'the opposite sides thereof as is shown in the drawings. This line or row of stitches occupies the same relationship to the ends of the opposite sides of the loop eyes as has heretofore been customary. It is to be understood, however, that I prefer to employ in connection with the device embodying the invention loop eyes in which the opposite sides are 'arranged in substantially parallel relation to each other, but this relationship is not essential to the invention.

Mounted upon the forward edge of the top plate 2.o f the machine I have provided a bracket lhaving bearings within which a rock shaft 17 'is mounted. An arm 18 rigidly secured in `any desired adjusted position to the said shaft depends therefrom and is connected at its lower end to a link 19 the rear end of which is connected to an eccentric 20 which is integrally or otherwise connected with a block 2l which isadjustable upon the sleeve 22 mounted upon and to rotate with the main shaft 3 of the machine. Adjustment of the block 21 may be effected by adjusting the screw 23 in known manner, and after having been adjusted may be held in adjusted position bythe binding screw 24. It will be noted that the eccentric 20 is hollow or tubular and that its internal diameter is greater j than the external diameter. of the shaft 3 whereby adjustments of the said eccentric may be effected. No further details of description of the eccentric will be given because it is of known construction. The position of the eccentric controls the extent of movement of the arm 18 and consequently. the extent of the rocking or oscillatory movements of the shaft 17 previously referred to.

An arm 25 is adjustably connected to the' shaft 17 and projects upwardly and toward the front of the machine. To its upper end an extension 26 is adjustably connected by The tape 1 bearing the eyes 1 is attached Maanen means ot a connecting or binding screw 27. 'l`o the upper end olf the extension is com nected, integrally or otherwise, a rearwardly eatemlingg` arm 28 which projects part-way over the table It will be noted vupon roterence to ltig. i2 that the arm 2S is located out of alinement with the presser foot, its location being to the lett `thereof` to a person sitting);l in trout ot and 'lacing the machine. A linger 3l) is adj ustalily mounted upon the arm 28, being;` secured thereto by means oi a bindiingr screw Si which extends through a. slot 3Q. in the linger 30 and engages a tapped opening,y in the arm ly loosening the screw so as to release the head thereot from contact with the linger Slt) the latter may he moved either toward the front oi the machine or the rear, vas ma y be desired. The adjustments in the ertent ol the rocking movements ot the shalt il', ot the arm 25, the extension 26, and the linger -lll'are provided in order that the rear end ot the linger lill may be caused to operate in proper relation to the adjoiningneedle ll).

'll he rear end portion ot the linger 30 extends laterally toward the sewing' mechanism, as indicated at 35, and then downwardly as indicated at 36 and 'terminates in a pointed portion l'r'.` rThe front edge oli' the downwardl `v extending portion 36 is tapered downwardly and rearwardly, asis clearly shown in Figs. 2l to (i and 8 to lll ot' the drawings. r.llhe parts in said ligures are shown on an enlarged scale for the sake ot clearness. itt and adjoining the rear lower end ot' the linger 3l) the 't'ron't edge thereot' is curved rallier sharply rearwardly, as indicated at 38. The purpose ot the formation ot this edge will be referred to more in detail later on herein. rlhe rear edge oi' lthe rear lower end ot the linger $3() is notched, as indicated at dl), lor the purpose o't engaging a wire, should ocasion i'or engagement thereotI arise, to move the saine rearwardly out ol the path ol' the descending point ot a needle during a stitch termino' operation.

'l`he mechanical `features of the device havinn` been described, l shall proceed with a description ot its operation as follows:

ln this description l shall start with llfig. il ot the drawings, in which the inger 3() has just arrived at its highest and most forward position. ittsuch time the needle in its as'- cending moven'ient will have reached a position substantially as is shown in tull lines in said ligure. lllrom this position the linger 3() begins its return or rearward movement alter having; been stationary for a very short 'traetion ot time, the actuating eccentric Q at the moment olf the beginning of the return or rearward movement occupying; a position 180o ditl'erent trom that in which it is shown in llip. l, The needle continues its ascending' movement until it `linally arrives at the posi-in tion indicated in dash-and-dot lines in Fig. l and in full lines in lllig. l. llt then begins its` descending movement but it does not reach the worlr until the point of the projection 3l' 'upon the linger l0 has arrived at its lowest in rear et the point in the laln'ic at which the penetration thereof by the needle takes place, as illustrated in Fin'. l. lllhile the projection 3l' is in its rearnuiist position and while the needle is penetrating` the material the actuatingy eccentric is in substantially the position shown in Fig. l. ot the drawing. lt will be understood that the linger which is actuated by the eccentric 20 will malte a slight pause at each reversal ot its direction ot movei nient and also that at such time the said eccentric occupies either the position shown in Fin". 'l or a position dili'erini;` by 1800 troni that position. '.l`l1e eccentric being in one or the other oit these positions when reversal ot the direction oi" movement ot the iinger takes place, it t'ollows that :tor short periods ot time and most, rearward point or position, slightly the said linger moves relatively slowly as colnpared with other parts ot its movements. lust about as the projection Si' on the linger l0 reacties its rearnn'ist and lowest position the 'tour-nmtion 'leed arrives at its rea rmost position and the said toed then descends and both the toed and the linger carrying the projection 37 begin their movciuei'it toward the liront ol the niachine, and continue such movement until the needle (which has penetrated and passed through the work and is ascending) again arrives at approximately the position shown in tull lines in Filati on its next ascending nawement. llt will be apparent that the eccentric Q0 through the connections as shown in Fin'. l actuates they linger zltl in such relation to 4the movements ol' the needle l0 that just prior to the time when the needle reaches penetrating relation with respect to the fabric ot the work being' operated upon the said projection will reach the position shown in lilla'. l and will contact with any wire which may happen to be in the path oi the needle to adjust the same out ot such path and thereby prevent the striking oi? such wire by the needle in its descending movement.

lt will he understood that the needle referred to in the torenjoinp description ot the operation is thatA Awhich is located nearest to 'the extreme rear end ot' the linger 'llhas shown in llaa. 2 o't the drawings.

ille is shown in tl oli the drawings, the point oil" the needle l0 is a short distance out oit alineinent 'with the extreme lower end 3T ot the finger 2l() when the latter is in its rearward and lowi'ninost position. llt however will he apparent that ,the pointed end portion Si' ot the linpger may be so shaped as to permit loca tion oft the extreme point olf saidlingcr in alinement with the needle when loolqed at from the side. r,the construction as shown is that which is preferred by me at the present time.

Upon relerence to l'igs. li and "i" ot the drawwithout injury to the needle.

ings it will be apparent that when a wire con'- stituting one side of an eye, such as is shown in the drawings, is in position within the notch 40 said wire may occupy ay slightly angular position, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7, with respect to the length of the tape upon Vwhichthe eye is mounted, and that the portion thereof adjacent the line of movement of the needle is suiiciently displaced rearwardly to prevent the point of the needle from contacting therewit-h. Consequently the wire is not in position to interfere with the passageo'f the needle through the fabric.

If the wire constituting one side of an eve 4should occupy a position in contact with the front edge of the pointed portion 37 of the finger 30, as shown in Fig. 11, the said wire will be held in position infront of the line of movement of the point of the needle so that the latter will be permitted to enter the fabric It may be that one side or the other of the needle in the two positions described may contact with the wire, but such Contact does not injure the needle or interfere with its penetration of the work.

As already indicated, the finger 30 starts upon its ascending movement or movement toward the front of the machine at a time l after the needle has penetrated a considerable "distance through the work but while it is still ates to tighten the stitch. It will be seen,

therefore, that the stitch will be tightened uponthe Wire of the eye afterthe latter is returned to substantially normal position even though at a previous time, it may have occupied an abnormal positioli/ In the operation of the protective or guard finger 30 it may happen that t-he extreme point of the end portion 37 will contact with the wire at some time in front of a vertical plane through the axis thereof, as is indicated in Fig. 8., In such case ithe wire will be adjusted rearwardly into the position indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 7. If. however, the point of the end portion 37 should contact with the wireat a point in rear or to the left of a plane through the axis of the wire, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, the front edge of the portion 37 will operate to cam the wire toward the right into the position shown in Fig. 11 with relation to the lower end portion 36, 37 of the finger 30.

It-will be noted thatthe pathy of movement of the point of the projection 37 from and to the position in which it is shown in Fig. 1 is due to the relation of that position te the axis of the shaft 17 and to a vertical plane including the said axis and at right angles to the plane in which the said view is taken. The point of the projection 37 when in the position shown in Fig. 1 is in a radial line from the axis of the shaft 17 which forlns an acute angle with the vertical plane referred to. It is apparent, therefore, that upon oscillation of the arm 25 the point of the projection 37 reciprocates through the are of a circle of which the axis of the. said shaft is the center, which are extendsA in angular relation to the top surface of the table by which the fabric of the work is supported and to the plane of the fabric supported on said table.

It will be seen that by my invention I have provided means by the employment of which the point of the needle in its descending movements is efficiently and effectively prevented from contacting with a wire which normally occupies a position at right angles to a tape or to a fabric, or at right angles to the line of movement of such tape or fabric through the machine.` As a result of'the employment of a device embodying the invention the breakage of needles due to the contact thereof with wires which may be secured to the work being operated upon, or the cutting of such wires by the contact of the needle therewith is absolutely prevented. This results not only in a great saving in operation but in great economy as well.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A needle protecting attachment for sewing machines comprising a reciprocating finger the outer free end of which is provided with a downwardly extending projection which contacts with a wire which is secured to the work and extends transversely of the path of movement of the work as it moves through the sewing machine and which may happen to be located in the path of downward movement of the needle, and means for effecting reciprocation of the said finger which means causes movements of the said finger in such correlation to the movements of the needle that said downwardly extending portion of said finger reaches a point in proximity to the point-of penetration of the work by the needle in advance of the said needle and contacts with any wire which may be in alinement with the point of the.

descending needle and displaces the same with respect to the point of the needle.

2. A needle protecting attachment for sewing machines comprising a rocking shaft, means for effecting rocking movements thereof, an arm extending from said shaft to a point above the plane of the top plate of the said sewing machine, and a finger secured to the said arm and extending over the top plate of the said machine and terminating in opllO trate the work to effect adjustments of the said wires out of alinementwith the descending point of the needle.

9. A needle protecting attachment for sewing machines, comprising, in combination, a protecting member, and means for effecting reciprocating movements thereof in a plane parallel with'the direction of travel of the work through the machine, the outer free end of said member arriving at a point in proximity to and laterally of a needle and in a planeparall'el with the direction of travel of the work and in proximity to or in contact with the work in advance of the penetration of the work by the needle, the said outer free end contacting with a wire which may bemounted upon the work and which may be in alinement with the needle and causing movement thereof to a position out of alinement with the axis of the needle.

1 0. A needle protecting attachment for sewing machines, comprising a finger for contacting with a wire which may be mount- `ed onthe fabric being stitched and which may be located in the path of movement of said needle, and means for actuating said finger to cause it to 'Contact with the said wire when in such position to displace the same with respect to the said fabric and carry the axis thereof out of alinement with the said needle. l

11. A needle protecting attachment` for sewing machines, comprising a finger terminating in a' downwardly extending pointed portion the front and rear edges ff which are shaped to engage a wire which may be carried upon the material being stitched by the said machine and move -it into position out of alinementwith the needle. v

12. A needle protecting attachment for sewing machines, comprising a linger terminating in a downwardly extending pointed portion? the front and rear edges ofwhich are shaped to engage successive wires which may be carried at intervals upon the materlal being stitched by the said machine and which may happen to be located in the path of downward movement of the needle and adjust them relatively to the needle, and'means for actuating the said finger to cause it to so engage said wires. j

13. A needle .protecting attachment for sewing machines, comprising a finger, means for supporting the said fingerinaplane parallel with the direction of travel of the work through the machine, and means orrec'iprolwhichmaybe located inalinement ywith the needle to move it in one direction or another mounted on said rock shaft, a driving shaft,

and means directly connected to the driving shaft and to the Second named arm and acting therethrough to oscillate said rock shaft to cause reciprocatory movements of said finger to carry the said pointed end to and from a position laterally of and in proximity to the point of penetration of the needle into the work and in avertical plane including the axis of the said needle and extending in a direction substantially at right angles with the direction of travel of the work.

15. An attachment for sewing machines for protecting the needle and wires which are mounted at intervals upon a fabric which is being Afed through the machine and in which a line of stitches is being formed which crosses the said wires comprising a member having a downwardly extending pointed portion, and means for causing reciprocation of said member to cause the said pointed portion to be moved back and forth to and from a position in proximity to thepoint at which the said needle penetrates the said fabric, the said pointed portion contacting with and displacing a wire which may happen to be located in the path of the said needle.

16. An attachment for sewing machines for protecting a sewing needle and a wire mounted upon a fabric which is being fed through the machine and in which is being formed a line of stitches which crosses the said wire comprising a reciprocating member having a downwardly extending pointed portion, means for effecting reciprocation of the said member to cause movement of the said pointed portion back and forth past the path of movement of the said needle to a point in adjoining relation to the point at which the needle penetrates the said fabric, t-he said pointed portion contacting with the said wire if it be located'in the path of movement of the said needle to displace the same laterally out of the said-path, 'and means for adjusting vthe .said reciprocating member with respect to the means for effecting reciprocation thereof.

17. An attachment for sewing machines for protecting a needle and a wire which may be mounted upon a fabric which is beingfed through the machine and in which a line of stitches is being formed, the said wire extending transversely of the said line of stitches, comprising a downwardly extending wire engagin shoulder, a support for said shoulder, an means for reciprocating the said shoulder back and forth in the' direction of llt) lill

leed to and from a position in proximity to and laterally ot' the point at which the needle penetrates the lahric, the said shoulder contacting with a` wire which may occupy a posi tion in the path ol movement olf the point ot' said needle and displacing the same trom the Said path.

l. lin attachmei'it l'or sewing;` machinel for protect-inn; the needle and a wire which may he mounted upon a sheet ot material which is being fed through the machine and in which a line ot stitches is being` ilormed, the said wire ettetnling1 crosswiee ot' the said line ol Stitches, comprising an arm extending over the top et' the table ot the sewing machine, which arm is provided at iteI tree end with a downwardly extending projection, and means tor actuating" the Said arm so as to cause the said projection to traverse the arc of a circle which extends in angular relation to the plane ot the sheet material which is heine; ted through the eaid machine, and means: tor causing the said projection to arrive at its lowest point in proximity to the point at which the needle penetratee` the worl; at a moment slightly in advance oit the moment ot penetration olf the work by the said needle 'wherehy the Said projection contacts with a wire which may happen to occupy a, position in the path ol movement et the said needle and displaces the saine troni said path. V

lt), itin attaelnncnt tor sewingr machinee lor protecting the needle and a wire Ywhich may be mounted npon a sheet ot material which is being; ted through the machine and in which a line of stitches is being formed, the said wire extending crosewiee olf the said line et Stitches, comprisingl a contact'device, means tor supporting said contact device laterally oil Said Sheet ot material., and moana tor rc ciprocating,r said supporting means and the contact device supported therehy to more the latter to and l'rom a position in 'proximity to,

the point at which the needle entera the s-said eheet o'l material to canne the saine to contact with any wire which may occupy a. position in the path ol movement et the point o t sa id needle to more the said wire with respect to eaid path and independently oil said material, the path ot increment ol said device being in a ,line terminal an acute angle with the Said sheet ot material.

"30. llt needle protecting attachment 'l'or Gewinn; machineel comprising` a linger terminating' at its rear end in a downwardly cX- tendinp' pointed portion, and means `lor causing` reciprocation ot the said linger to carry the said downwardly enteni'lina pointed portion into and trom a position in proximity to and laterally oit the point ot penetration by the Said needle ot the materia being; stitched thereby canning the Said downwardly entend ingr pointed portion to contact with a wire which may he carried upon the niaterial heini;1 stitched and which may occupy a peeiamy tion in alinement with the needle to ctl'ect adjustment there/ot' toward the liront or toward the rear into a position ont et alincment with the Said needle, the rear edge ot' the said 'downwardly extending portion being shaped to push the I@aid wire out el alinel'nent with the said needle and the liront edite thereof be* ine' Shaped to cam the same toward 'the :liront ot thc said machine out et alinement with the said needle.

:21. lu combination with a Sewing;` machine, which machine includes means operating continnoualy to leed material to he Stitched through said machine, a aatety attachnient :tor protecting' thencedle ot Said machine, the Said attachment comprising;` a linger, and meaug 'lor moving' said linger into Contact with a wire member Secured to the fabric being' stitched and which may happen to come into alinement with the said needle, to move the said member ont et alineinent with the said needle.

E22, ln combination with a Sewing` machine7 which machine includes moana` operatingcon tinnons-iy to ll'ced material to be stitched through Said machine, a satety attachment 'tor protecting` the needle ot said machine, the laaid attachment conipriaini;` a linger, means; tor supporting' said linger, and means tor opu eratinn said Supporting' means to more the said linger into contitnioua relation to the needle whereby the `aaid linger contacte with a wire memhcr Secured to the n'iaterial honig stitched and which may happen to he in aline nient with the needle to more the said wire nicnibcr out ot alinement with the said needle.

i223. vln combination with a sewing machine, moana4 tor guidingn laelener tape to the etitchina' mechaniem ot' the machine, means opelat ingr continuously Alor adwanting;4 the tape toward the aaid Stitching" mechanism, and means; operating independently ot the ad vaiiciinr ot the laid tape tor moving out et the path ot the dcsfccimliucr movement ol" the needle ot the laid stitching' mechanism auch iznltcncrs on the tape an may happen to come into auch path.

2t. .ln comhination with a sewingI machine., moana4 tor grinding;m tantencr tape to the et.' `china' nieclnmism oli the machine, means or advancing' the tape toward the said stitching mechanism, and naeinui,4 acting independently oit said accond named means tor moving" and holding; out et alinemcnt with the needle ol2 said stitchingw mechaniam .auch last/encre as come into alineinent therewith. y

2li. .ln comhinat-ion with a sewing.; machine, :means 4tor grinding; tai-stoner tape to the Sewing mechanism ol the machine, means` il'or advancing said tapv and imiterial to which the said t'ape to h stitched toward the Stitchint;i mechanism oit the machine, a Safety deifice vtor protecting; the needle o t said niechanis-3m, which Safety device compriecn` a l'ii'ipger, and nie/ann tor moving` :raid linger into contact Mill llt]

with such fasteners as come into alinement with said needle to move said fasteners out of alinement with the said needle.

26. In combination with a sewing machine, means for guiding fastener tape to said machine, means for advancing said tape toward the stitching mechanism of the machine, an attachment for protecting the needle of said mechanism, the said attachment comprising a finger theV end of which is shaped to engage a fastener, means for-supporting said linger, and means for operating said supporting means in timed relation with respect to the operation of said needle for causing said linger to contact with such fasteners as come into alinement with said needle and move the said fasteners out of alinement with the said needle.

27. In combination with a sewing machine, means for guiding fastener tape to said machine, means for advancinfr said tape toward the stitching mechanism of the said machine, a finger for engaging such fasteners as'come into alinement with the needle of said mechanism to move said fasteners out ofjalinement with said needle, and means interposed between the said linger and the drive shaft of the said machine for moving the said finger into and out of engagement with the said fasteners. v

28. In combination with a sewing machine, means for guiding fastener tape to said machine, means for advancing said tape'toward thestitching mechanism of the said machine whereby fasteners mounted on said tape may be lbrought into alinement with t-he needle of said stitching mechanism, means for moving suchffasteners outiof alinement with the saidy means, and means for operating the said supporting means.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have hereunto signed my name this 11th day of November, A. D., 1926.

. ABRAHAM BEBEL.

needle, and means for moving said last named means into a position adjoining the path of said needle in advance of the penetration of the fastener tape by the said needle. 29. In combination with a sewing machine, means for guiding fastener tape to the stitching mechanism of the said machine, means operating Without interruption for advancing the` said tape toward the said stitching mechanism, means for moving such fasteners as come into alinement with the needle of the said stitching mechanism out of alinement with the said needle, supporting means for the said last named means, and means for oscillating said supporting means.

- 30. In combination with a sewing machine, means for guiding Vfastener tape to the stitching mechanism of the said machine, means operating continuously for advancing the said fastener tape toward the said stitching mechanism, means located above the plane of the said guiding means for moving out of alinement with the needle of the stitching mechanism such fasteners as come into aliney menttherewith, means extending downwardly` to a point below the plane of the said guid- 

